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During my transition period, I brought in 13 people who were either first-time voters or who hadn't voted in five consecutive elections. I asked each of them a question: Now that you've come into the system, how do we keep you involved? Their answers were very clear, very honest. They said, It's the same story every four years. Whenever an election's coming up, all the politicians come out and give you the same song and dance about the same issues, all the way up until they get elected. Then you don't hear any more from them until it's time for them to get elected again. We're tired of it. If you want to keep us involved, don't tell us what you think we want to hear, tell us the truth. There's a great need in our government right now for honesty. I speak my mind. You might not always like what you hear, but you're gonna hear it anyway. I call it like I see it; I tell the truth. And if I don't know something, I'll say so. Then I'll try to find the answer.

Jesse Ventura#13

PoliticsLeadershipTruthVoting

About this quote

What does it mean?
Ventura recounts recruiting new voters who demanded honesty. He pledges to tell the truth even if it is unpopular.
In plain terms
New voters want honesty not promises. Ventura commits to truth.
What can you take from it?
Voters value truth over comfort.

Where it applies

  • election campaigns
  • public office

Putting it to work

  • campaigning
  • public service

Questions to consider

  • What do voters expect from leaders?
  • How much honesty is too much?

Another view

Honesty without solutions may not fix problems.

More from Jesse Ventura

  1. Politics is not my life. I have a career in radio and another career in film. I have a wife who is the sweetest person in the world and two kids who are growin…

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  2. I decided to run for governor because I got mad.... I want to make government more directly accountable to the people.

    Permalink to quote #14
  3. I didn't need this job. I ran for governor to find out if the American dream still exists in anyone's heart other than mine. I'm living proof that the myths ar…

    Permalink to quote #11

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